Eichorst issued a statement Saturday that called recent news reports about Pelini "unfounded speculation and conjecture."

The first-year athletic director said he wanted to "reaffirm what I have said many times since I have arrived at the University of Nebraska - that I positively respect, appreciate and support our football student-athletes, coaches and staff, as we do everyone in the Husker family. We very much look forward to our upcoming bowl game and Coach Pelini continuing to lead our program in the future."

The Huskers are 8-4 after their loss to Iowa on Friday. Pelini is 57-24 in six seasons at Nebraska, but the school has not won a conference title since 1999.